Gravesend man headbutted Poundland store manager

A man who stole a video game from Poundland and headbutted the store manager when confronted has been given a community order.

Jordan Lacey, of Homemead Close, Gravesend, was told to pay back more than £300, take on unpaid work and attend anger management classes following the incident in January.

The 25-year-old appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court last week, where he pleaded guilty to theft, common assault and another charge of displaying visible representation with intent to cause distress, relating to a separate incident.

Poundland in the St George's Centre

The court heard how Lacey walked into the store carrying a bag for life and used it to put a PS4 game and DVDs in.

He was confronted by the store manager and asked for a receipt as he walked past the tills and towards the exit.

Prosecuting, Leanne James, explained how Lacey became irate and shouted: “If you don’t back off I will headbutt you” before pushing the Poundland manager into a large basket full of stock, and he then left the store.

He was followed out of the shop and challenged again, this time walking up to the victim and headbutting him on the nose, causing a nosebleed.

Wayne Crowhurst, defending Lacey, claimed that the defendant was stealing the games to sell on to get money for food for him and his girlfriend and asked the court to take into consideration his early guilty plea.

He was told to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work, as well as 20 hours of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) sessions.

Lacey must also pay £310 in court costs, compensation and a victim surcharge.